Multilayer Catheter Balloon with Equal Rupture Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Balloon catheters with multilayer structures can be excessively dilated beyond an appropriate diameter due to the rupture of a layer with lower strength, leading to uneven pressure distribution and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A catheter balloon with a multilayer structure where the first and second layers are made of different materials, with equal rupture strengths, and the second layer covers the first layer, ensuring balanced dilation and enhanced pressure resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a multilayer structure with different strength layers is adopted to improve shape restoring property, then shape restoring property is improved, but the balloon may be excessively dilated beyond appropriate dilation diameter due to rupture of the weaker layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape restoring propertyVSAvoidpressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the key parameter of layer strength from unequal to equal by adjusting material composition and thickness. The inner layer uses a shape memory polymer with lower glass transition temperature while the outer layer uses a shape memory polymer with higher glass transition temperature, but both are designed to have equal rupture strength through careful selection of material properties and layer thickness ratios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials consisting of two different shape memory polymers with distinct glass transition temperatures. The inner layer comprises a shape memory polymer with a first glass transition temperature, while the outer layer comprises a shape memory polymer with a second glass transition temperature higher than the first, creating a composite structure that balances shape restoration with pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If fluid supply is continued after rupture of the weaker layer, then high pressure is applied to the base material layer, but the balloon becomes excessively dilated beyond appropriate dilation diameter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure distribution uniformityVSAvoiddilation diameter control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by designing both layers to have equal rupture strength, preventing the scenario where one layer ruptures while the other remains intact. This equal strength design ensures that both layers fail simultaneously or progressively, maintaining balanced pressure distribution and preventing excessive dilation before the balloon reaches its maximum safe expansion limit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The balanced material properties and equal rupture strengths of the layers prevent excessive dilation, enhance pressure resistance, and allow for smooth, controlled expansion to a desired diameter.

Implementation Method 1

a rupture strength of the first layer and a rupture strength of the second layer are the same... prevent the balloon from being excessively dilated beyond an appropriate dilation diameter due to rupture of any one layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure distribution: Pascal's Law

Implementation Method 2

the first layer and the second layer are configured by different materials... allow for smooth, controlled expansion to a desired diameter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4529941A1Catheter balloon
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 TERUMO KK
  • EP4529941A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4529941A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4529941A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A catheter balloon includes a first layer and a second layer disposed adjacent to each other in a thickness direction of the balloon, the first layer and the second layer are configured by different materials, and a rupture strength of the first layer and a rupture strength of the second layer are the same.